As medical science continues to advance, the call for donated organs and tissues increases. Back in 1991, there were 23,000 people on the national transplant waiting list but in 2018, the number had grown to 113,000 men, women and children in the United States awaiting a transplant according to information from the Organ Procurement and [...]

Every day people experience life-altering medical improvements through tissue transplants from organ and tissue donors. Al Higginbotham was on a hunting trip when a tree branch fell on him and crushed five vertebrae in his spine. He was told that he would be confined to a wheelchair, never to walk again. He underwent a bone transplant [...]

Organ and tissue donation is a clinical, emotional and complex process. Saying yes to donation is courageous and generous, but it is not always easy. For Yolanda Wallace, the donation experience was filled with doubt and fears, but, ultimately, she is honoring her son’s giving nature by using her experience and voice to help future donor [...]

If Derrick Page could’ve given his heart to his grandfather, Larry, he would have. That’s just the kind of person he was. In fact, the 23-year old Aurora University student was planning on registering as an organ and tissue donor, but fate stepped in, and he lost his life before he could sign up. Derrick died [...]

As a donor in spirit, Rachel was a kind and compassionate person who left an indelible mark on the lives of those who knew and loved her. Rachel Dean was a source of hope and positivity for anyone who met her. The 25-year-old teacher and swim coach was always advocating for others and bringing [...]

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network honored 14 individuals, hospitals and health systems for outstanding achievement in addressing the critical need for organ and tissue donation in 2018 by presenting each with a Lifesaving Partners Award at a special recognition ceremony held on Friday, Oct. 12, at the Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus in [...]

If you search for Suzie Sturm using social media, you might find her using the hashtag #DoItForTom. Tom is the name of her donor, the 25-year-old who gifted her a new liver on Sept. 27, 2016, at the UI Health in Chicago. Suzie’s transplant journey started at a holiday party in 2014. Suzie was walking down [...]

Colette, center In October of 2006, Lisle resident, Colette Jordan, received the news that she had an autoimmune disease and was in dire need of a liver transplant. Miraculously, a match was found for Colette and she received her transplant at Northwestern Memorial Medical Center nine days later. Without the gift from her organ [...]

James Love and Barb Thomas When Barbara Thomas rented out her home to the Love family she didn’t know it would change her life forever. “It was during the housing crisis of 2009 that I wanted to move, but knew that it wasn’t the right time to sell my home,” said Barbara. “When my [...]

Turn to us for subject experts and local and national statistics on organ and tissue donation. We also can offer information on the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry, Donate Life Illinois and the critical need for organs and tissue in our Illinois and northwest Indiana service area.

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